Topics: Real Madrid, FIFA Club World Cup, Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pulled no punches as he called out his own teammate following an incident in their Club World Cup clash against Mexican side Pachuca.
Xabi Alonso's side picked up their first win of the tournament on Sunday as goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde sealed a 3-1 victory, but it was a far from straight-forward outing in Charlotte.
Just seven minutes into the Group H game, defender Raul Asencio was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Asencio's dismissal was the fastest ever in any intercontinental club competition, a record that was previous held by Al-Hilal’s Matheus Pereira, who was sent off in the 14th minute of a 2022 Club World Cup third-place tie.
Advert
And at the half-time break, Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois bemoaned the sending off.
Speaking to DAZN, he said: "It's two games and the same mistake twice, which may be very minor, but we have to be smarter and not make that mistake."
Courtois, who made 10 saves to steer Madrid to victory, added: "He knows it, and there's no problem. We're going to fight for him and win without him, and when he comes back, we'll keep winning."
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso also offered a firm response to Asencio’s red.
“I will talk with Raul Asencio, but for sure, he needs to learn from these type of experiences,” Alonso said after the full-time whistle. “Asencio shouldn’t have made that mistake. It’s important that he knows that."
The Spaniard added: “Early in the game you need to take chances, but not make a foul for a red card. He’s still young and this is an experience to think about for the future.”
Later on in the game, referee Ramon Abatti Abel used the anti-racism protocol after Antonio Rudiger said he was racially abused in the closing stages of Sunday's
Rudiger clashed with Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral after the Germany international claimed he had been fouled by the 39-year-old Argentine.
The defender proceeded to speak to referee Ramon Abatti Abel, who then crossed his arms to signal the anti-racism protocol.
It is unclear whether the alleged racial abuse was from someone in the crowd or a player, but after the full-time whistle, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that FIFA has launched an investigation into the matter.
Asked if Rudiger had been the victim of racism during the game, Alonso told a press conference: "That's what Rüdiger said, and we believe him. It is important to have zero tolerance in these kinds of situations."
Alonso added: "FIFA now is investigating. That's all I can say."
